The Atlantic Slave Trade

1. The Atlantic Slave Trade European World

2. Origins of the Slave Trade • 1500s • Africans were enslaved to fill the need for labor in Spain’s American colonies

3. Origins of the Slave Trade • 1500s • Africans were enslaved to fill the need for labor in Spain’s American colonies

4. Causes • discovery of the "New World" and the development of plantation economies in the Americas

5. Causes • discovery of the "New World" and the development of plantation economies in the Americas • tribal conflict in Africa prior to 1500

6. Causes • discovery of the "New World" and the development of plantation economies in the Americas • tribal conflict in Africa prior to 1500 • Arab traders taking slaves to North Africa and the Middle East prior to 1500s

7. Effects • racism • slave traders justified the slave trade by using racist views to support their actions • they portrayed Africans as "uncivilized”

8. Effects • racism • slave traders justified the slave trade by using racist views to support their actions • they portrayed Africans as "uncivilized” • undermined traditional African society • led to warfare and social decline

9. Effects • racism • slave traders justified the slave trade by using racist views to support their actions • they portrayed Africans as "uncivilized” • undermined traditional African society • led to warfare and social decline • cultural diffusion • Africans were moved to: • Europe, North America, South America

10. Slave Trade

11. Horrors of the Middle Passage • whippings and beatings were common

12. Horrors of the Middle Passage • whippings and beatings were common • disease swept through the vessel

13. Horrors of the Middle Passage • whippings and beatings were common • disease swept through the vessel • the smell of blood, sweat, and excrement filled the hold

14. Horrors of the Middle Passage • whippings and beatings were common • disease swept through the vessel • the smell of blood, sweat, and excrement filled the hold • captives often lived in their own vomit and waste

15. Horrors of the Middle Passage

16. Horrors of the Middle Passage • whippings and beatings were common • disease swept through the vessel • the smell of blood, sweat, and excrement filled the hold • captives often lived in their own vomit and waste • 20 % died of disease or brutal mistreatment

17. Horrors of the Middle Passage • The Amistad Incident • August 1839

18. Amazing Grace

19. Amazing Grace Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. John Newton

20. William Wilberforce • Member of British Parliament (1784-1812) • close friend of Prime Minister William Pitt • influenced by John Newton • campaigned for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire • Act was passed by 1833

21. Amazing Grace - The Movie

22. Total Impact • 9.5 million people were moved

23. Total Impact • 9.5 million people were moved • at least 2 million died as a result of the trade